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World
Peace Pagoda / Shanti Stupa
As of last night the plans changed and we had to prepone our return to Kathmandu
by a day to go for the mountain flight. Shucks! i was really beginning to
like Pokhara and the Lodge!!
Gurung arrived on time and we left with him just in time to do this one last
sight-seeing in Pokhara. Our bags packed and dressed to trek we headed out.
Gurung drove us till a small village and i cannot remember the name and this
is really annoying me!!! He was our trek lead. We started walking a few feet
and ten minutes down we were seriously out of breath. we were embarrasingly
out of shape and Gurung tried not to take notice :) The one hour walk can
actually be done by someone in good shape in about half the time. That did
not feel good for our self esteem, but we knew what we had to work on once
we got back in Dubai..work out!!! After about 5 stops and Gurung lying to
us endlessly that it was only a few more metres away, we could actually catch a
glimpse of it. An interesting shot, even cattle have swimming pools in Nepal!
.
As
we walked on, the view was breathtaking, on second thought so was the walk!!
Pashu's shirt came off within the first 20 mnts and i was considering the
same myself! it was hot and sunny, and we ran out of water. At the top there
was a small shack, that was selling refreshments. Guess what you get near
the Stupa & all of nepal in plenty ??? TUBORG & CARLSBERG BEER!!!
almost everywhere... we decided to stick to coke, actually only Pashu had
some and we walked on to see the stupa. It was beautiful but at the same time
ironical. T+he place which hosts the World Peace Pagoda is wracked by maoist
tension, with intergroup fighting, and civilians getting killed.The natural
beauty of Pokhara in mid-western Nepal is simply bewitching. Forming the backdrop
are the spectacular Annapurna mountains with the magnificent fish-tailed Machhapuchhre
dominating the scene. Adding to Pokhara’s enchantment are the three serene
lakes of Phewa, Rupa and Begnas. Other places of interest include the World
Peace Stupa atop a hill that provides a stunning view of the surroundings. Made
by the Gorkhas, the money came from a leader from the Gurung community, who
was dogged by the royals as he was a demonstrator for nepal being democratic
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